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Monday, February 14th, 2011

Mavis Staples Wins Grammy For Best Americana Album

Anti-Records would like to congratulate the remarkable Mavis Staples for her Grammy Award win in the category of Best Americana Album vocal or Instrumental for her incredible 2010 album You Are Not Alone. The record was produced by Jeff Tweedy of acclaimed band Wilco who additionally wrote two of the compositions including the album's stirring title song. Also featured are Staples' heartfelt interpretations of songs by her father Pops Staples, Randy Newman, Allen Toussaint, John Fogerty, Rev. Gary Davis and Little Milton. Staples' win this year in the wide ranging and diverse "Americana" category is of particular significance because it illuminates the renowned soul and gospel singer's ever broadening multi-genre appeal. Though a veteran performer with beloved recordings dating back to 1969, this is Mavis Staples first ever Grammy Award as a solo performer.

You Are Not Alone was heralded by The Chicago Tribune as "A voice of reassurance in troubled times" and described by Time Magazine as "Gorgeous" and Spin as "Inspired." Staples formative work alongside her father and sisters in The Staples Singers provided an inspirational soundtrack for the American civil rights movement with such hits as "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There." In recent years Staples has experienced an undeniable artistic resurgence with her 2007 album We'll Never Turn Back, and 2008 live recording, Live: Hope at the Hideout, named one of the Best Live CDs of All Time by Amazon.com's editors and earning Staples her first Grammy-nomination as a solo artist.

At Sunday's pre telecast ceremony for the 53rd Grammy Awards, Staples responded to the honor with a moving and tearful speech. "My goodness, it's been a long time, a long time coming," she offered emotionally. "Ok, ok, ok, all right, give the honor to God and to my father, Pops Staples. It's because of you Pops that I stand here today. I tell you, you laid the foundation, and I am still working on the building." Staples thanked producer Jeff Tweedy for "bringing the young adults, the college kids" back to her and then stated emphatically "I'm going to be around a while. "You haven't seen the last with me. God is not through with me yet."